Thomas c



T. o. .GoRMANg VP ENULBMER. Patented Peb. 19,1884.

(No Model.)

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UNTTED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

THOMAS C. GORMAN, OF ALBANY,'NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO DUDLE. FARLIN, OF SAME PLACE.. I

SPECIFICATION forming part of Ietters Patent No. 293,650, dated February 19,` V1884.

Application filed June 1,v 1883. (No model) l To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS C. GORMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of 'Albany in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Pen-Cleaners, and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and eXact description of the same.

My invention relates to a pen-cleaner `of novel construction for cleaning writing-pens or drawing implements from ink, dirt, or other 'matten The object of my invention is to provide a pen-cleaner of compact form, which may be carried about at pleasure and be ready for use at all'times, and in which the sponge will be kept always moist and free from hardness, sediment, and dirt, without the attention and care which the ordinary pen-cleaner requires. My invention consists of a cup or urn, made of metal, glass, rubber, or any other suitable material, and of any convenient size and shape, provided with a sponge of sufcient size to fill the interior of the cup, and -having its bottom or sides, or both, perforated with small holes, and having a spiral spring attached to the bottom of the cup, in combina tion with an outer vessel or stand, made of any suitable material and water-tight, and so constructed that the interior of this stand will contain the perforated cup, and of such depth that when the perforated cup is inserted inthe stand and rests with its spring upon the bottom of the stand the edge of the perforated cup will be even with the edge of the stand. The outer vessel or stand is provided with a hinged cover, with any suitable clasp o'r'catch for holding it down. The interior or under surface of this cover is made convex, so that when the cover is closed it will iill the mouth of the perforated cup. The bottom `of the stand is provided on its interior with a' small stud or projection, over which the spiral spring on the perforated cup rests when the whole is in position.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an elevation showing the cover closed. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view withv the cover open. Fig. 3 is a'vertical sectional View with tion.

' be upon it'.

the cover closed. Fig. '4 is a view, looking 5o down, withthe cover off. Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the pen-cleaner.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, in which similar letters refer to similar parts throughout, A represents the outerves- 5 5 sel or stand. B is the perforated cup. C is the cover hinged to the stand. D is the sponge in the perforatedl cup; E, the space' between the boltoms of. the cup and stand; K, the spiral spring on the perforated cup; M, the hinge 6o of the cover, and L the clasp or catch; S, the bottom of the stand, O, the small stud on bottom of the stand. T T are the perforations in the cup.

To use the invention, the perforated cup containing the sponge is inserted in the outer vessel or stand, with the lower end of the spiral spring resting over the stud in the bottom of vthe stand, which serves to retain the spring in position, and at the same time prevents the 7o perforated cup, whenvdepressed, from striking against the bottom of the stand and stirring up. the sediment. Sufficient water is then poured in to wet the sponge and ll the space maintained by the spiral spring between the 7 5 I bottoms of the stand and the perforated cup, though more or less water may be used. The sponge in the perforated cup will absorb the water through the perforations and remain soft and moist and ready for use.

When not in use, the cover of the pen-clean er may be closed, which will prevent evapora- Vhen closed, the convexV surface lof the cover will press .upon the sponge and depress the perforated cup upon its spring. The wa- 8 5 ter in the stand will then flow through the perforations, and, rising over the sponge, will cleanse it of any ink or sediment which may When the clasp or catch of the cover is released, the pressure on the inside 9o will operate to throw the cover open. The perporated cup will then rise into position, and the water,riiowi ng back, will carry with it thevink or sediment from the sponge, which will be depositedI in the bottom of the stand. 9 5

The cover of the stand may be made to close water-tight, so'that the pen-cleaner may be readily carried about.

In the construction of my invention I do not limit myself to any particular material, size7 or form, as it may be Constructed of any suitable material. and made in any size or 5 shape, either for convenience or ornament; nor do I limit myself to the use of a spiral spring at the bottom of the perforated cup, as it is evident that any other form of spring suitable for the purpose may be used, either 1o at the bottom of the perforated eup or upon its sides, or upon the bottom of the stand.

Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. A pen-cleaner constructed of an inner I5 perforated eup or vessel to Contain a sponge provided with a spring, an outer oup or stand provided with a stud to retain the spring, and a convex cover to press the sponge when closed, substantially as described.

2. In a pen-c1eaner, the perforated eup B, 2o provided with the sponge D and the spiral spring K, in eon'lbination with the outer stand,

A, provided With the convex eover C, and the stud O, allsubstantially as deseribed, and for the purpose set forth. Y

THOS. C. GORMAN.

XVitnesses:

GEORGE W. Fim'rni-:Rs'roNiLxUGn, EDWIN G. DAY. 

